Archæologiæ Græcæ, or, The antiquities of Greece by John Potter ...

CHAPTER XVII. Of the Athenian 〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉, or Publick Assemblies.

〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉, was an Assembly of the People met together ac∣cording to Law, to Consult about the Good of the Common-wealth. It was of two sorts, the First of which they call'd 〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉, the other 〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉.

〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉, were so call'd, 〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉, because in them the People confirm'd and ratified the Decrees of the Senate; or ra∣ther, because they were held upon 〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉, or 〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉, Days constant, and appointed by Law (d).

They were held four Times in Five and Thirty-days, which was

the time that each 〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉, or Company of Prytanes, presided in the Senate. The first Assembly was employ'd in approving, and rejecting Ma∣gistrates, in hearing Actions call'd 〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉, and proposals concern∣ing the publick Good; as also in hearing the Catalogue of such Possessions, as were confiscated for the Service of the Common-wealth, and several other things. The second made Provision both for the Community, and Private Persons; and it was permitted every Man to prefer any Petition, or speak his Judgement concerning either of them. In the third, Audience was given to the Embassadors of For∣reign States. The fourth was wholly taken up with Religion, and matters relating to the Divine Worship (a). The First Assembly was upon the Eleventh Day of the Prytanea; the second, upon the Twen∣tieth; the third, upon the Thirtieth; the fourth, upon the Thirty-third. Some there are, that reckon by the Month, and tell us, that they had three Assemblies every Month, upon the First, Tenth, and Thir∣tieth Days; or upon the Tenth, Twentieth, and Thirtieth (b). But the former Computation seems to be more agreeable to the Custom of the Ancient Athenians, amongst whom were Ten 〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉, accord∣ing to the number of their Tribes, each of which Rul'd Thirty-five Days, in which they had Four Assemblies. Afterwards, the number of the Tribes being encreas'd by an Accession of two New ones, the 〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉, were also Twelve in number, each of which rul'd a Month, and then perhaps Ulpian's Computation might take place.

〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉, were so call'd 〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉, because the People were summon'd together, whereas in the 〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉, they met of their own Accord, without receiving any Notice from the Magi∣strates, as Ulpian observes (c). The Persons, that summon'd the People, were commonly the 〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉, or the 〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉 in their Names, be∣cause the Occasion of these extraordinary Assemblies was, for the most part, the coming on of some sudden, unexpected, and dangerous War; sometimes the Prytanes, if the Senate so order'd it, as they usually did, when any Civil Affairs, in which the 〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉 were not concern'd, requir'd a quicker Dispatch, than could be given them in the 〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉.

〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉, as Pollux, or 〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉, as Hesychius calls them, were Assemblies held upon some very weighty and momentous Affair, to which they summon'd not only those Citizens, that resided in the City, but all that liv'd in the Countrey, or were in the Ships, then at Anchor in the Haven.

The places, where the 〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉 were Assembled, were several, as First,

〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉, or the Market-place; and there, not the Athenians only, but most other Cities, had their publick Meetings, because it was usually very capacious. Hence the Assemblies themselves came to be call'd 〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉, and to make a Speech, 〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉, as Harpocration observes.

〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉, was a Place near the Cittadel, so call'd 〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉,

because it was fill'd with Stones, or Seats set close together, or from the Crowds of Men in the Assemblies, and therefore 〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉, is by the Comedians taken for the Thronging and Pressing of a Multitude (a). It was remarkable for nothing more, than the meanness of it's Buildings, and Furniture, whereby in Ages, that most affected Gaiety and Splen∣dor, it remain'd a Monument of the Ancient Simplicity (b).

The Theater of Bacchus, in later Times was the usual place, in which the Assemblies were held (c), but even then Pnyx was not wholly for∣saken, it being against Law to Decree any Man a Crown, or Elect any Magistra••es in any other Place, as Pollux, or, at least, the 〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉, as Hesychius reports.

The Ordinary Assemblies were held in the fore-mention'd Places, but such as were call'd upon extraordinary Occasions, were not confin'd to any certain Place, being sometimes held in the Piraeeus, where there was a Forum, call'd 〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉, Munychia, or any other Place capa∣cious enough to contain the People.

The Magistrates, that had the care and management of these Assem∣blies, were the Prytanes, Epistata, and Proedri.

The Prytanes sometimes call'd the People together, and always before their meeting set up a 〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉 in some place of general Concourse, in which was contain'd the Matters to be consulted upon in the follow∣ing Assembly, to the end that every Man might have time to consider of them, before he gave his Judgment (d).

〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉, were so call'd from the first places, which they had in the Assemblies. Whilst the Tribes of Athens were no more than Ten, the Proedri were Nine in number, being appointed by Lots out of the Nine Tribes, which at that time were exempted from being Prytanes. Their Business was to propose to the People the Things they were to deliberate upon, and determin in that Meeting (e), at the End of which their Offices expir'd.

〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉, the President of the Assembly, was chosen by Lots out of the Proedri; the chief part of his Office seems to have consisted, in granting the People Liberty to give their Voices, which they were not permitted to do, till he had given the Signal (f).

If the People were remiss in coming to the Assemblies, the Magistrates us'd their utmost Endeavours to compel them; they shut up all the Gates, that only excepted, thro' which they were to pass to the As∣sembly, they took care that all Vendibles should be carried out of the Market, that there might be nothing to divert them from appear∣ing; and if this was not sufficient, the Logistae (whose business this was) took a Cord dy'd with Vermilion, with which they de∣tatch'd two of the 〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉 into the Market, where one of them standing on one side, and another on that which was opposite, pursu'd all they found there, and mark'd with the Cord as many as they caught,

all which had a certain Fine set upon them, as the Scholiast upon A∣ristophanes observes at this Verse,

〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉 〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉 (a).

They in the Forum chat, and up and down Scamper t'avoid the Cord Vermilion-dy'd.

Mr. Abell.

If any Boisterous and Tempestuous Weather, or sudden Storm, which they call'd 〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉 (b), or Earth-quake happen'd, or any Inauspicious Omen appear'd, the Assembly was immediately adjourn'd. But if all things continu'd in their usual Course, they proceeded in this Man∣ner.

First, the place, where they were appointed to meet, was purified by killing young Pigs, which, as was usual in such Lustrations, they car∣ried round about the utmost Bounds of it; on the outside of which no Man was permitted to stand, because those places were accounted Pro∣phane and Unsanctified, and therefore unfit for the transacting business of so great consequence, as that in which the Welfare and Safety of the State was nearly concern'd; this we learn from Aristophanes, in whom the publick Cryer warns the People to stand on the inside of the 〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉, for so they call'd the Sacrifices Offer'd at Expiations,

〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉.

The Person, that Officiated in the Lustration, was call'd 〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉, and 〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉, from 〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉, another Name for 〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉 (c), and 〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉, according to Pollux.

The Expiatory Rites being ended, the publick Cryer made a Solemn Prayer for the Prosperity of the Common-wealth, and the good Suc∣cess of their Counsels and Undertakings (d). For amongst the Primi∣tive Heathens, all things were carried on with a great shew of Piety and Devotion; and so great a share they thought their Gods had in the management of Human Affairs, that they never undertook any thing of Weight or Moment, especially in publick Business, without having first invok'd their Direction, and Assistance.

Then he pronounc'd a bitter Execration against such, as should en∣deavour any thing in that Assembly to the Prejudice of the Common-wealth, praying, That he, and his whole Family might be made re∣markable examples of the Divine Vengeance (e).

Then the Proedri propos'd the things, that were to be Consulted about, and repeated the Decree of the Senate, which, in most bu∣sinesses of Importance, took care that nothing should be propos'd to

the Assembly, before it had pass'd their House. Then the People were ask'd, whether the Senate's Decree should pass into a Law? and this they call'd 〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉, as being antecedent to the final determina∣tion. If they approv'd it, Good; if not, a Consultation was to be held about it, in this Method;

The Proedri having given the Command, the Cryer proclaim'd with a loud Voice, 〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉; Who will make an Ora∣tion? Then first those, that were above Fifty Years of Age, rose up, and ascending the Suggestum deliver'd their Opinions, after them the next in Years, and so on to the Youngest (a). For as they judg'd it unreasonable, that any Man's Quality or Age (so he were not under Thirty) should debarr him from uttering what he had conceiv'd for the good of the Common-wealth, so on the other Hand, it was thought very undecent, and unbecoming for Young-men to give their Opinions, before they had heard what were the Sentiments of such, as Years and Experience had render'd more fit and able to judge.

But the Wisdom of the Law-giver thought it not expedient to per∣mit every Man without distinction to deliver his Opinion; for such as were convicted of any heinous Crime, of Impiety, Prophaneness, or Debauchery, had Fled from their Colours, or were deeply Indebted to the Common-wealth, he excluded from having any thing to do in such Consultations (b); it being scarce probable that Persons of wicked Lives, or desperate Fortunes should endeavour any thing conducive to the Peace and Prosperity of the State, but rather that they should design the Confusion and Ruin of it, that themselves might be enrich'd with the Spoils of Honest Men, and be at Liber∣ty to take their full Career in their unlawful Pleasures, without the restraint of Laws, and fear of Punishments.

When the debates were ended, the Cryer by the Command of the Epistata, or Proedri as others report, ask'd the People, Whether they would Consent to the Decree? permitting them to give their Voices, and thereby either establish, or reject it, the doing which they call'd 〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉, or 〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉.

The manner of giving their Suffrages, was by holding up their Hands, and therefore they call'd it 〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉; and 〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉 signifies to Ordain, or Establish any thing; 〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉, to disannull by Suf∣frage. This was the common Method of Voting, but in some Cases, as particularly when they depriv'd Magistrates of their Offices for Male-administration, they gave their Votes in private, least the Power and Greatness of the Persons accus'd, should lay a restraint upon them, and cause them to act contrary to their Judgments and In∣clinations.

As soon as the People had done Voting, the Proedri, having care∣fully examin'd the number of the Suffrages, pronounc'd the Decree ratified, or thrown out, according as the Major-part had approv'd, or

rejected it. The Business being over, the Prytanes dismiss'd the As∣sembly, as we read in Aristophanes (a),

〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉.

Notes

• (d)

  Suidas, Ari∣stoph. Schol. Acharn.
• (a)

  Pollux l. VIII. c. VIII.
• (b)

  Ulpian. in Demosthen. Aristoph. Schol.
• (c)

  In Orat. de fals•• Legat.
• (a)

  Aristoph. Schol. Acharn. Equit. &c.
• (b)

  Pollux lib. VIII. c. VIII.
• (c)

  De∣mosthen. Mediana.
• (d)

  Pollux lib. VIII. cap. VIII.
• (e)

  Ulpianus in Timocrat.
• (f)

  Harpocration, Demosthenes Androtiana, Aeschines in ••tes••ph••nt.
• (a)

  Ach••rn.
• (b)

  Aristophan. Schol. ibid
• (c)

  Aristoph Schol. ibid. & Con∣cionatric. &c. Suida••, Harpocration.
• (d)

  Demosthen. Tim••cras.
• (e)

  Demosthen. 〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉.
• (a)

  Aristophan. Acharn. Demosthenes, & Aeschines in Ctesipho••t..
• (b)

  Demosthen. in Aristogit. A••schines in C••esiph••nt.
• (a)

  Acharnens.